Birdwatching
Flights of Fancy
Meet the many birds that call Central Park home—at least part time.
As a child, Ken Michaels, a lawyer and amateur photographer used to enjoy birdwatching in Central Park with his dad. So when Covid struck, he struck back, co-opting his wife Lenore to traipse around the Loch, the Meer, and other avian sanctuaries with him. In no time, the critters—the smaller ones, especially—would fly right into Lenore hands. That’s when the couple officially joined the ranks of the park’s “Crazy Bird People,” Lenore laughs. Here, some highlights of the past two years—with details of where to find the birds yourselves.
The Pretties
Cardinals, according to Ken Michaels are "year round New Yorkers." He spotted this little guy in the Loch in January 2021.
Predators
The Great Blue Heron, which remained perfectly still in the hopes capturing dinner, was spotted in winter of 2021, on the lake of the Harlem Meer at the Northeast corner of Central Park.
Surprises
These Northern Shoveler ducks were doing a dance, notes Michael, "because it causes the water to eddy and brings food to the surface." Seen along the Reservoir in winter of 2021.
Tweet tweet: For more on New Yorkers’ new birding trend, see Central Park Has Gone Bird-Zerk.
